The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the County governments intends to establish 4 cancer hospitals countrywide, increase centres of excellence on kidney health and equip an additional 21 hospitals on management equipment services. In a statement released by the Council of Governors after an extraordinary meeting, the CoG Chairman Josphat Nanok said the plan is set to be rolled out in May this year and is expected to increase access to affordable health care. “The goal is to ensure that 51.6 million Kenyans are on board by the year 2022,” read the statement.

This is an effort to implement and push for the attainment of the Universal Health Care goal, which is one the four pillars of the Government. The Council of Governors together with the Minsitry of Health, NHIF and World Bank has developed a four-year plan that will push for this. Furthermore, the Governors noted vital lessons learnt from Cuba following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit, the facts being that Cuba has completely eliminated malaria, treats diabetes patients using organic vaccines, is on the second phase of testing for an HIV vaccine having passed the first phase and that the country is an exporter of highly trained doctors.

As a result, the national government has imported 100 specialized doctors from Cuba to work in Counties and in the two national referral hospitals, “The salaries of these doctors will be paid by the national government and County governments will provide furnished housing facilities, security and transport,” read the CoG statement. The doctors will train County Health Workers on malaria vector control and on the management of HIV, Hepatitis, and Diabetes. The Health Ministry will also sponsor 50 doctors across all Counties for a 2-year training in Cuba majorly on family care and the Counties will sign an MoU to operationalize the workings of the specialist doctors from Cuba beginning June 2018.